Lead Artist wins the Group 3 Darley Stakes

Lead Artist, runner-up in last month's Gr.2 Park Stakes at Doncaster, added to his Gr.3 Thoroughbred Stakes victory at Goodwood in August with a determined effort in Saturday's Gr.3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 13th October 2024, by Sean Cronin:

The John and Thady Gosden trainee, who was the sole three-year-old in this straight nine-furlong test, tracked the leaders in a handy fourth through the initial fractions of this first attempt beyond the one-mile trip. Making headway under pressure to launch his challenge at the quarter-mile marker, the 3-1 second favourite seized control approaching the final furlong and was ridden out on the climb to assert by one and a half lengths from Liberty Lane. Lead Artist's stablemate Peace Man (Kingman), who was coming back off a 470-day break, kept on well to finish two and a quarter lengths adrift in third.

"He's always been a nice colt that we felt could be high class," said racing manager Barry Mahon. "We bumped into Kinross last time, which was no mean feat, and he proved he is still a good horse when he was second at Longchamp in the Forêt. I think he will continue to progress, a mile-and-a-quarter will be within his compass and some better ground will be a bit more favourable. It gives us plenty of options."

John Gosden added: "He's done everything right and he came second to a very good horse, who is a multiple Group 1 winner, at Doncaster last time. He's done it well, he's beaten the Cambridgeshire winner and it was a solid race. The ground was slightly on the testing side, but it was good and for this time of year we're lucky to have it."